“Corn appears as the most promissory crop”

Buenos Aires, May 24th. The last drought during Argentina’s summer cut 20 million metric tons of soybean harvest but only 7 million of corn. “Farmers realized that corn was the only crop that offered some profit to the operation”, says Leonardo Galli, Regional Sales Manager at KWS local branch. “In some places with adequate rains, they have been able to collect between 12 to 14.5 tons per hectare, in grain hybrids. But in those places where rains failed, even they have been able to harvest 7 or 8 tons, that provides them a right profit”, added.

In Argentina, corn is KWS main business unit, far from alfalfa or sunflower. “About 60% of our sales are grain hybrids, and silage hybrids are the 40% remaining, but last years we are seeing an increasing demand of silage hybrids”, says Mr. Galli. “We are focused on silage hybrids that combine a good grain yield with a low lignin content in the stem and leaves, e.i. high digestibility, good health, and a wide window to chop it”, explains Mr. Galli in dialogue with www.eFarmNewsAr.com.

With those hybrids, this season -affected by drought- dairy farmers chopped 70 tons (green matter) per hectare, but previous year, that was a good one, were common to chop 90 tons per hectare, remarks Galli.

In the case of grain hybrids, farmers demand is targeted to fight glyphosate-resistant weeds. “We offer hybrids glufosinate-tolerant or IMI corn, i.e. imidazolinone-tolerant. Depending on the zone and the type of resistant weed, we recommend one or more mode of action combination”, concludes Galli.